Top 10 Cosmetic Surgery Fears and How to Overcome Them

By Austin-Weston | 10/08/2017

Fear is a normal human response to situations of uncertainty. So, if you experience cosmetic surgery fears as you research your procedure, you should know that such feelings are reasonable. Just as you may experience fear or anxiety when you travel to a new city or start a new job, the idea of having surgery can induce fear.

However, instead of automatically labeling your fear as “bad,” why not consider the benefits of experiencing reasonable fear? For example, fear helps us realize what we really want. If you want a certain procedure, despite your cosmetic surgery fears, your gut may be telling you how much this procedure means to you.

Listening to your gut instinct is important. So, rather than allowing your fear to drive you, dig into the following common cosmetic surgery fears and then let your instincts be your guide as you make this very personal decision.

1. Fear of Bad Results

This is the one fear that most patients discuss with their surgeons. We have all seen stories about cosmetic surgeries gone wrong and many of us would be more comfortable looking our age than looking “weird.”

2. Fear of Complications

When it comes to cosmetic surgery complications, it’s important to understand your risks. Following the restrictions provided by your doctor both before and after your surgery will reduce your risks.

We ask our pre-op patients to stop smoking, stop certain medications, and find a stable weight that they can maintain throughout the healing process.

3. Fear of Addiction

There is a misperception that the cosmetic surgery industry preys on individuals who have become addicted to plastic surgery. But no reputable surgeon will operate on a person who has psychologically misplaced reasons for wanting surgery such as body dysmorphia.

Our philosophy is that our doctors have to see something that they can improve surgically in order to operate. We have no interest in performing unnecessary surgeries.

4. Fear of Anesthesia

One of the most common cosmetic surgery fears is the fear of being put to sleep and not waking up. Bear in mind here that most types of plastic surgery can be performed using a local anesthesia. But if we have a more complex case, like a facelift or tummy tuck, we will put patients under because, ultimately, they experience less pain.

Another reason to be less afraid of being put under is that many anesthesia horror stories involve individuals who are sick when they go in for surgery. This is why we make sure our patients are healthy, which reduces your risk significantly.

5. Fear Pain

Know that every person who undergoes a medical procedure has some amount of fear around the idea of experiencing pain. But it’s also good to remember that advances in pain management make even the most invasive cosmetic surgeries very manageable.

6. Fear of Mortality

The bottom line for every patient is their safety.

Here’s the deal: surgery in hospitals is most often performed on individuals who are extremely sick. This means the risk of mortality is automatically elevated. For elective cosmetic surgery, we take all precautions to ensure the risk of mortality is as low as possible.

Blood clots are the biggest danger. To reduce the risk, we administer the least amount of anesthesia possible so that our patients are alert more quickly. We encourage them to move their extremities as soon as possible and to take deep breaths to increase blood flow.

7. Fear of Being Judged

Often patients don’t want people to know that they’ve had work done. While cosmetic surgery patients were once viewed as vain, today people are far more open-minded. We all want to look good. That said, you will likely experience two weeks of swelling and bruising. Our recommendation? Be honest. If you are comfortable and confident, others will follow your lead.

8. Fear of Financial Stability

You may find a surgeon offering cosmetic surgery at cut-rate prices. That can be okay but do your research. Some budget surgeons will nickel and dime you after the operation. Remember that the cheapest is not always the best. At Austin-Weston, we never upsell our patients. We talk about your goals and how we can help. Ultimately, the choice is yours.

9. Fear Concerning Longevity

How long will my results last? Cosmetic surgery doesn’t last forever. However, several factors can make your results last longer. Your age, your expectations, the type of procedure, and how well you take care of yourself, all play a role in the longevity of your cosmetic procedure.

Hopefully, breaking down these 10 cosmetic surgery fears answers your questions and eliminates some of your concerns. Always remember that you should never have a surgery with which you aren’t 100% comfortable. Talk to your surgeon about your personal risks and ultimately, make the decision that’s right for you.